ASIDE from the usual feast of top-class racing, there have been a couple of welcome developments to have come out of Royal Ascot, although both have been announced more with a whimper than a bang given how easy it is for news to get lost among the racing reportage. Despite the lowish profile, the decision by one major bookmaker (Betfair sportsbook) to announce a minimum liability policy on specific races starting with all races at Royal Ascot is a step in the right direction for those who have been campaigning for a such a policy across the board.

Similarly, Ascot’s announcement that detailed timing data will be made available for all races at the track from next month would have made a much bigger splash had it been available for the track’s biggest meeting of the year, but it is undoubtedly a positive move, and comes after extensive consultation with business partner Longines.